Organizing for America | Posts with the tag house Parties

Posts with the tag house Parties

By George - Feb 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm EST

Also listed in: Gouverneur Area for Obama | Watertown Area for Obama

Here are the minutes of our most “stimulating” house party; it is clear that these forums allow leadership the clearest way of understanding the needs of its citizenry, it is about time!

Subject: I. Rural Utilities Services Impact: All of St Lawrence County - majority population rural expansion of broadband access essential to industrial growth opportunities, and telecommuting opportunities within these rural communities. Medical faculties tend to be centralized and often an hour or more driving distance to a "major facility". Distance learning opportunities within school and for the many "home schoolers" would be a definite benefit. Actions for community: Need population density numbers. Facilities currently in existence, schools, hospitals, clinics, which currently do not have access. Areas which are not currently covered by broadband signals. Numbers of rural communities which are without connectivity options. II. Gas Prices: Price controls or monitoring, oversight on US production, a storage facility for upstate New York area. Note: The price of crude oil has gone down from $147 a barrel in July 2008 to $40 a barrel but the price of gas has only gone down to $2 per gallon and diesel; which most of the transport trucking of the economy runs on, is still at $3 per gallon. III. Housing Sales: Credit for buying existing homes. IV. Credit Services – Repackaging old credit (past expiration date for credit- reporting purposes) into new accounts, This allows banks to justify rejecting new loans while being bailed out for bad assets as well as receiving revenue by new collection agency. Also, students with existing school loans who have not obtained significant employment should have derogatory credit rating waived until they can repay loans. V. Railway Upgrade – Upstate New York has an existing railway system but it is antiquated and for strictly commercial use. It is suggested that allocated funds be used to upgrade it to a high-speed elevated system that can integrate upstate New York with the rest of the state, at least. This would allow for economic revitalization of the affected regions. VI. Technology Park – A technology park should be built in upstate New York that would create more jobs and work in conjunction with the railway system upgrade. VII. Ethanol and Small Farming Initiatives – There is uncultivated land that could be used for ethanol production and existing farmland where small farmers could take advantage of the proposed tax breaks. Also, new farms could be established according to new business loans being offered in this plan. VIII. Wind Farms and Solar Power – We already have some wind farms but development is curtailed because of political reasons; i.e., the sole energy provider has lobbied against it. We could also develop solar power energy alternatives.

IX. Rural Road Lighting – A good part of upstate New York is in desperate need of rural road lighting.

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Organization for America: Success or Failure?

By George - Feb 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm EST

Also listed in: Gouverneur Area for Obama | Watertown Area for Obama

Let me post a blog from Zephyr Teachout here first.Organizing for America sent out a request for house parties today, asking people to watch a video about Obama's economic recovery plan, talk about it with their friends, and build support for it. While there will be tweaks, this is the kind of action we can anticipate from OFA.I predict that there will be perhaps a thousand of such parties, then hundreds, then dozens. I think OFA will fail in its mission to directly engage Obama supporters in supporting Obama's executive actions. And I think this is a very good thing.It will fail because Obama--suiting a President--is not oppositional, conflict-driven, and not likely to pick out particular targets to be won over--all things that are likely to engage people. It will fail because it is from OFA, not from Obama. And it will fail because OFA cannot be a new democratic party, but will have a hard time defining what it is, and what kind of real power ought exist at every level of the organization.This is a good thing because it is not intended to be a representative organization, where people have real power. The organization is openly and proudly propagandistic. The email today asks people to host a party at which they can watch a video which will "outline the basics of the plan and how it will impact working families. It will also include answers to questions from folks across the country. Invite your friends and family to watch the video, discuss the plan, and help build support for it."The organization is proud of the runaround of other power centers (press, congress, etc...). I support Obama wholeheartedly, and have been thrilled every day of his Presidency. But I support self-government even more, and a successful organization sharing uncritical media with 13 million citizens sounds spooky to me. I'm glad its going to fail. This is not to say I think OFA should throw away its list and networks. If it were up to me, I would encourage OFA to throw all of its support and resources at local democratic parties and officials--to decentralize the data, and let local groups experiment. I believe Obama has largely done his job, by getting elected and by electrifying the country and showing people that they can have power; but for them to exercise it meaningfully, instead of simply acting as shills for Presidential policy, they will need to exercise it through our representative offices: Congress, and the state houses. [1]

Zephyr Teachout’s contention that the Organization for America (OFA) will and should fail is not very encouraging and hopeful. His argument is that there is an existing democratic structure that should be used to pursue the president’s agenda; and, indeed, that OFA should share its e-mail lists with it to make it more effective. Those are fair points, but as one person has pointed out, many who worked for the Obama campaign do not have a particularly keen attraction for the existing Democratic Party so this organization is more suitable to them. In addition, the arguments that President Obama is not oppositional or that OFA’s members should not act as mere “shills” for his policy demeans the very nature of the democratic process. When his economic recovery plan does not garner the vote of a single Republican representative, the significance of hosting such meetings is apparent. Regarding the effectiveness of local democratic chapters, as an Obama Group Administrator, I worked alongside them but can tell you my groups were at least as active and effective and will continue to remain so. Mr. Teachout also comments that there will be no real power here; let me see, no real power to an organization that propelled a relatively obscure politician into the White House? To this point, in fact, Mitch Stewart has been appointed the Executive Director and I believe he will not be the only one wielding authority and influence here. There is a question of how precisely the organizational hierarchy will be implemented and I have presented my thoughts on this subject elsewhere. If handled correctly; rather, there is no reason that you cannot create an effective new “democratic” entity that can help improve public discourse and promote public policy. One reader states that there is no future agenda established (for OFA) but if one reads the host guidelines you are asked to plan future events, “Now begin planning your next event. It's up to each one of us to keep this movement going and keep fighting for change.”[2] My only concern is that those who had leadership roles in the campaign keep those in the OFA and those who excelled in their roles get recognized and rewarded as well. That is, grassroots leaders who performed beyond expectations should be offered a staff position if they desire it. This way, there will be genuine democratic discussion, opportunity, power, and growth in this movement that will allow the successful grassroots promulgation and support of the president’s legislative agenda.

In the Washington Post (Monday, April 6, 2009) it was reported, concerning the Organization of America’s viability, that “But in its first big test, the group dubbed Organizing for America (OFA) had little obvious impact on the debate over President Obama's budget, which passed Congress on Thursday with no Republican support and a splintering of votes among conservative Democrats.”[3] Later in the article, Natalie Wyeth, identified as a spokeswoman for the Organization for America was quoted as saying “’This is just the first step in the process," Wyeth said. "We've been around 60-some-odd days. This is still a very new project, a new effort, and we're learning as we go.’”[4] Below this, the writer continues, “The grass-roots effort on behalf of Obama's $3.5 trillion budget began in early March and was described by Plouffe as the group's ‘first major engagement’ in the legislative process. OFA organized a door-to-door canvass effort on March 21 that netted about 100,000 pledge signatures; another 114,000 signatures came in through the group's e-mail network, the group said.”[5] Sorry to correct both the Washington Post’s Dan Eggen along with the OFA’s own staff, but the “first” grassroots effort began with the promotion of the president’s “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” with house parties hosted on February 6, 2009. I should know as I hosted my own and you can read a summary on my very own blog. By the way, our efforts were quite successful in advocating and promoting the president’s agenda (at least the first time around).

However, the criticism that channeling the enthusiasm of the grassroots effort from campaign to administration mode faces obstacles is with merit. In my article above I do discuss that there must be certain prerequisites allowing for a successful administration grassroots mobilization. Namely, you must convert a part of the volunteer grassroots movement into a paid hierarchical structure. Presently, even the campaign structure that was used seems to have been discarded with the last few political events. You can tap into the enthusiasm of the electorate up to a certain point after the administration begins, as Mr. Teachout argues, however; this will soon wane unless there is a concrete incentive to remain active. I will leave the exact details on the implementation of the grassroots organizational structure to Mitch Stewart and David Plouffe but suffice it to say that, with the right model, the president’s agenda can still be successfully promoted by the Organization for America.

[1] Zephyr Teachout, “Organizing for America Will, and Should, Fail” January 30, 2009 http://www.techpresident.com/blog/entry/33643/organizing_for_america_will_and_should_fail

[2] Organizing for America Economic, “Recovery Host Meeting House Guide” http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/economicrecovery/

[3] The Washington Post, “Obama’s Machine Sputters in Effort to Push Budget,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040501890.html

[4] Ibid. The Washington Post.

[5] Ibid. The Washington Post.

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House Party: Obama Administration Challenges

By George - Dec 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm EST

Also listed in: Gouverneur Area for Obama | Watertown Area for Obama

Overview of Economy

I wrote the following for a Platform meeting I held:“We all are aware of the pressing political and social issues that plague us today; the economy, the wars, health care, education, the environment; it appears in none of these areas can we claim any success but, instead, face catastrophic failure. Do not say that “catastrophic” is a hyperbolic description, if this administration has its way it will open up a third front against Iran prior to leaving office whose consequences even our military leaders would agree with the above adjective. In t he area of the economy, if we do not attain fiscal solvency, we face fiscal ruin; hyperbole? Well, the social security trust fund faces insolvency within our generation’s time, alone. Our debt is managed by foreign countries while our dollar continues to fall, what happens when their chips are cashed in? The home foreclosure and credit card crisis speak volumes about the tragedy and dire hardship faced by a rapidly disappearing middle class, I am sure all of you present are either directly affected by the economy or know someone suffering because of it. “

This was written before the Wall Street meltdown and bailout, before the current financial and credit care crises facing Americans and the impending bankruptcy of our US automakers. It is estimated that by year’s end there we will have lost 2 million jobs, this does not take into account the millions more either lost by our automakers’ collapse. These figures also do not include those who will be laid off or lose their jobs in other sectors or are underemployed which means they face the real and stark prospect of future unemployment themselves.

Proposed Action

We must notify our elected political officials and let our local media know that we will not the loss of anymore American jobs and that this has repercussions not only nationally but internationally as well. Many of our car manufacturing plants are in countries such as Canada who will also be adversely affected by our economic decisions.

Health Care

In President-elect Obama’s “Blueprint for Change” he addresses rural health care. “Rural health care providers often get less money from Medicare and Medicaid for the very same procedure performed in urban areas. Obama will work to ensure a more equitable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement structure. He will attract providers to rural America by creating a loan forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in undeserved rural areas. He supports increasing rural access to care by promoting health information technologies like telemedicine. In addition, in 2006 he co-sponsored legislation that would seek to “investigate the root causes of health disparities for rural areas and to start addressing them.” Speaking as a resident of this area, I know that one of the main reasons that the retention rate for doctors is so low is because this area is economically depressed and they flee to prosperous areas instead. That is, physician retention is not only tied in to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement levels, but to the overall economic situation of the rural communities themselves.

To continue, two-thirds of our village population is on some type of social service program which typically includes either New York’s GHI program or Medicaid. Only a small percent age of this village has any type of private insurance which will reimburse physicians at a higher rate making the president-elect proposals of eliminating that disparity particularly important. However, it is in the best interest of the village to foster an economic turnaround that will, first, allow employment for more of its residents, second, prevent the export of its greatest asset, its good students, and third, create an environment more conducive to the retention of physician and other professionals.

Proposed Action

Write to your local political representatives and newspaper editors about rural health care disparity and demand that it be addressed in the incoming administration.

Future House Parties

The goal of this event is to capitalize on and continue the momentum of the president-elect’s prodigious grassroots organization and to translate it into political action supporting his agenda. It is important that we remain in contact and a force for change as his administration moves forward and seeks to implement its goals. Circumstances change continuously and the most effective way for the new government is to keep abreast of them is through groups such as ours who can contact our local political representatives, support those running for office who support our agenda, and the local media. We can also engage in local service events to directly impact our community. The tools for hosting your own house party can be found on www.barackobama.com where you simply create your own account and then will be guided through the process of creating your own events. These house parties are not simply relegated to our own nation but can be hosted from any other country as well. We already have a strong presence in other nations such as Canada. After all, president-elect Obama is not simply going to be the president of the United States on January 20, 2009 but the leader of the free world as well.

This was the script for my house party, the guests left with information and with a commitment to continue with grassroots political engagement. Karen will attend the Jefferson County democratic Christmas party tonight and will present the material from this event. Miles will propose to a church group that will hold a meeting on health care link up with Secretary-Designate’s effort to hold and report back on a grassroots health care discussion.

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Why more House Parties?

By George - Dec 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pm EST

Also listed in: Gouverneur Area for Obama | Watertown Area for Obama

During my Camp Obama training my group was asked what it expected of an Obama presidency. One suggestion I offered is the idea that it capitalize on its grassroots mobilization for change and continue this movement. That is what these house parties represent to me; change not only at the top but a continual change provided from the grassroots level as well. President Obama (January 20, 2009) would be better served if his administration kept its hand on the pulse of the people and his organization has proven the most effective instrument by which to accomplish this.

What new ideas could come from a house party that has not been discussed before? Let me answer that here; one person who is attending my house part this coming Saturday is driving from Ottawa Canada and he asked me this very question. He questioned whether or not it would be worthwhile to have a person from Canada attending an event discussing issues concerning the United States. I explained that president-elect Obama, when he takes the oath of office, not only presides over domestic but international affairs as well. He may be the chief executive and commander-in-chief of the United States of America but he is also a leader of the free world. There is much we can discuss concerning our Canadian relations, our concerns over free trade, border security, governmental relations, and much more. Len did mention that our Canadian neighbors would like to ask if they could “borrow” Obama for weekends but I explained he may be a bit too busy, at least at first, to accommodate such a request. Seriously, there is no reason to exclude other nations from getting involved in our grassroots movement; for it is not only the citizens of this country that will provide his administration with the best insight as to its problems and promise but to the people of those nations who can best illuminate us as to the same (or perhaps some new) issues that concern them as well.

So, I explained to Len that, as he asked whether or not he could host his own house parties in Canada, I could add that to my feedback information and wait for the new administration’s response but it would probably be heartened and readily agree to such a noble offer. After all, as he explained, there is much enthusiasm about president-elect Obama in Canada and as explained, why not tap into that in the same way we do here, through our house party networks?

So, there you have it, the first good reason for continuing our house parties, before my first guest has even arrived. I can only guess how many more reasons I can provide after it is over.

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Convention Watch Parties!

By Disabled Vet 2000 - Aug 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

This Thursday, August 28th, Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination in front of more than 75,000 supporters in Denver and millions of viewers at home.

To celebrate, the Virginia Campaign for Change is throwing Convention Watch Parties. At the Convention Watch Parties, you can help plan canvasses, phone banks, and other volunteer activities. To win in November, we'll need to register as many new voters and reach out to as many new supporters as possible in just a few short weeks.

Sign up today to attend an Organize for Change: Convention Watch Party in Virginia.

We can win this election and make things better for all Americans. But it's going to take all of us working together.

Sign up at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/cwp1

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Veterans Organizations

By Disabled Vet 2000 - Aug 20th, 2008 at 3:04 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

We need your help! Are you a member of a local Veterans organization? We want to reach out to local Veterans to make sure they are registered to vote and have all the information they need to make an informed decision in this election. Please call Stephanie Marushia at 757-650-6393 and let us know about Hampton Roads Veterans groups.

If you want to volunteer please call me. We need help with canvassing, phone banking, voter registration, and hosting House Parties.

Thank You,

Stephanie Marushia

Hampton Roads Veterans & Military Families for Obama

757-650-6393

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Host a Blue Star Families for Obama House Party

By Heidi & Blue Star Families, Blue Star Voices - Aug 19th, 2008 at 9:22 am EDT

Blue Star Families for Obama is catching the attention of many Americans. One of our founding members has been asked to open the National Democratic Convention by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Another member who attended Michelle Obama's roundtable discussion for Military Families has been asked to speak during the Convention.

Now it's your opportunity to help build the momentum. It is important we let America know there are many military families supporting Barack Obama to be our next president and you can take action by hosting a Blue Star Families for Obama House Party. We'll provide all the information you need to have a successful event.

Your guests will be invited to participate in an evening of friendly, thoughtful discussion about military family issues like healthcare, deployment schedules and their impact, childcare, family mental health services, foreign policy and veteran's benefits.

Senator Obama wants to hear from military families like yours, and we will forward concerns and ideas raised in your discussion on to the Obama campaign. Join us -- let your voice be heard by signing up to host a Blue Star Families for Obama House Party. Just send an email to BlueStarsForObama@gmail.com indicating your interest and we'll help you with the rest.

Blue Star Families for Obama, a comprehensive grass roots initiative, borrows the symbolism of the blue star flag which immediate family members of active duty service members in times of war may fly, but it is not in any way affiliated with the Service Flag or the Blue Star Mothers organization.

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Update from the N. Minneapolis House Party

By Xavier Lopez-Ayala - Aug 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pm EDT

Also listed in: Minneapolis, MN For Obama | North Minneapolis for Obama

The guests at the house party here in North Minneapolis are talking about why they support Barack. Here's some of what they're saying.

David:

The 2004 election speech excited me initially. I went right out and bought Dreams of My Father, because they reprinted it with the speech. I loved the book and then bought The Audacity of Hope. During the speech, I grabbed both my sons and got them both to sit and watch the speech with me. I wished I lived in Illinois and said if he ever ran for something, I would support him. I started canvassing in Iowa last summer.

Steve:

I look at Barack as a guy who graduated from Harvard at the top of his class and instead of taking the $100,000 job, he took the $10,000 job and tried to help people like myself. I think he's genuinely wants to help people and this excitement that comes around him is because people sense this about him. Now is our chance, it is our chance to be a part of history.
For me, now is my chance to give back. Because I work 12 or 13 hours a day, and I wouldn't do that for just anyone. I wouldn't dedicate my life to something that I didn't 100% whole-heartedly believe in. And I believe in Obama.

Anne, N. Minneapolis:

I saw him speak at the Xcel Center. After that, I immediately went home and logged into my MySpace account and posted a bulletin telling everyone to vote for him.
I've been a lifelong Democrat since high school. I grew up in a largely Republican town and I was one of the Democrats, even before I could actually vote I was supporting Democrats. I was for John Kennedy... I met Robert (F. Kennedy) when he came to Hayward (WI) and got to shake his hand. I've been voting Democratic ever since.
The first time I volunteered for a campaign was Kerry/Edwards. This time around, my first choice was John Edwards, and after he dropped out, I was drawn to Hillary. I voted for her in the caucuses here. But I'm a Democrat first, and think [Barack] will do great things as president.

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Obama Unveils "New Energy for America," Plan as Minnesota Supporters Celebrate His 47th Birthday

By Xavier Lopez-Ayala - Aug 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: Minnesota Environmentalists for Obama

Today, as Barack was unveiling his New Energy for America plan, supporters across Minnesota were celebrating his 47th birthday by organizing voter registration birthday parties.

Here's the press release announcing his plan here in Minnesota:

Senator Obama’s New Energy for America plan is a comprehensive energy plan will help Americans cope with the energy crisis in the short term, and make the long-term investments we need to break our addiction to oil.
You can read the plan here: http://www.NewEnergyforAmerica.com.
“Senator McCain recently blamed our dependence on foreign oil on the inaction of ‘politicians in Washington’ over the last 30 years. He’s right. And for the last 26 years, he’s been one of them—part of the problem,” Obama’s Minnesota state director Jeff Blodgett said. &ldquoand across the country.”

Obama’s plan provides immediate relief, invests ;Senator Obama’s New Energy for America plan will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, give American families an immediate energy rebate of $1000 to deal with soaring gas prices, and create five million new green jobs. That’s the kind of change we need here in Minnesota a clean energy future, and brings us closer to energy independence:
Provide immediate relief to American families facing pain at the pump. Obama will use some of the oil companies’ record profits to provide Americans with an Emergency Energy Rebate of $1,000 per family or $500 per individual. He’ll also release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to cut prices.
Within ten years, save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined. To do this, Obama will increase fuel efficiency standards for our vehicles, work with the auto industry to put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars—cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon—on the road by 2015, and he’ll invest in the development of new fuels.
Help create five million new jobs by investing in a clean energy future. Obama will invest $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to develop clean energy technologies—from jumpstarting the commercialization of plug-in hybrids to advancing the next generation of biofuels. That will create 5 million jobs that can’t be outsourced. And Obama will make sure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer these new technologies.
Diversify our energy sources by adopting an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard. Obama will require that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. That standard will spur significant private sector investment in renewable sources of energy and create thousands of new American jobs.
Promote domestic energy production. Obama will take a “use it or lose it” approach to existing oil leases, requiring oil companies to develop the land they have—68 million acres that are currently going unused—or turn it over to another company. He’ll also work to improve access to untapped and unconventional domestic energy supplies.
Tackle climate change. Obama will implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. And he’ll work with our allies abroad to develop effective emissions reduction efforts.

See more details of the New Energy for America plan at: http://www.NewEnergyforAmerica.com.

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100K Movement

By Manesh from New York, NY - Jul 5th, 2008 at 2:20 am EDT

There has been some rumors that, instead of having BO's Convention Acceptance Speech in the standard covention hall with Delegates and High Value Donors (which would amount to a few thousand people), the campaign is thinking about having it at Mile High Stadium which will seat around 75K people in the seats and another 25K on the field...almost a hundred thousand supporters kicking off this movemonet for change.

In order to Win! (and we must), this has to turn into a major movement. The repulicans are openly conceding that if it becomes a movement, their entire strategy will have to be reworked. It is their biggest fear.

The republicans know that no one will care about policy flip flops, crazy reverends, or shady real estate dealings. No one will care about MO's patriotism, the Iraq pull out strategy, or your word on public campaign financing. No one will care about the cocain, fist bumps, or drilling. No will even care if you're a Muslim...Ok we won't go that far ;)

No one will care because its a Movement

We need to make this happen. BO, if the DNC can't afford it, we need to pay for it.

And I also hear Grateful Dead is thinking of getting together for an Obama Concert...thats also a great movement event...We'll save that for another post.

This event will prove to the nation that its a movement and its calling the masses to join. We are nowhere close to that right now although it may seem like that to a lot of you reading this. Our entire nation and generation needs to see this.

http://www.politicswest.com/democratic_national_convention/26547/mile_high_obama_invesco_field_may_be_venue

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Retail Politics at its Best: House Parties in New Hampshire

By Michael Negron - Dec 21st, 2007 at 5:51 pm EST

Sometimes it’s tough to get people to come for a holiday party this close to Christmas. But yesterday, households in Derry and New Hampton offered party-goers an unbeatable incentive: the chance to meet the next President of the United States.

With snow falling quicky and deeply, cars lined the sides of residential streets for blocks as nearly 200 voters crowded into living rooms to meet Barack face-to-face and learn more about his vision for change.

As the crowds warmed up after making the winter trek, Barack explained his reasons for running this year, citing Dr. Martin Luther King’s notion of the “fierce urgency of now.” He said:

People of all walks of life are looking for something different, and are open to a new direction. I believe that our politics is up for grabs right now and that we can do better than the same old political textbook.

Undecided voters made up the bulk of the party-goers in Derry and North Hampton, and Barack made his case the New Hampshire way, on a person-to-person basis.

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Grassroots Growing in the North Country

By Michael Negron - Aug 27th, 2007 at 12:36 pm EDT

Last week demonstrated the growing enthusiasm for our campaign in the gorgeous northern counties of Carroll and Coos. We opened our first North Country office in Conway early in the week, and volunteer Danny Gates hosted a house party at his home in Jefferson, NH this weekend. Danny invited dozens of area residents interested in learning more about Barack Obama. House parties like Danny’s are the foundation of our grassroots movement for change, and Saturday’s party was no exception.

Congressman Paul Hodes called in to discuss his support for Barack and take questions from his constituents about our campaign.

While Danny’s house is the oldest in Jefferson, new politics was the order of the day. As the primary season kicks into full gear, our grassroots leaders will be at the forefront of our campaign. They’ll be hosting house parties like Danny’s from Hillsborough to Coos, and everywhere in between.

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Dotting The Landscape With Hope

By Mike Walker - Aug 2nd, 2007 at 3:33 pm EDT

Also listed in: Hillsboro Obama Campaigners | Oregon Wants Obama! | Oregon for Obama

It’s time to light some fires!

Hold on, hold on … no, this isn’t a call for violent insurrection. There are fires that burn things down, and there are fires that build things up, by shining a light in the darkness. And it’s time for each of us to shine a bit of light, and to dot the landscape with small flames that will in time lead us out these dark times.

Since this is being written for the already-converted Obama supporters, I know that we all recognize Senator Obama as the right medicine for what ails this country of ours. And there are many who have witnessed about what Obama offers, where he stands, how he inspires and his vision for the nation. There’s hardly a need for me to add to that prolific and insightful commentary.

So, as the Events Committee Chair for the Oregon Wants Obama group, I write instead to urge everyone in this group to independent, self-created and local action in its most simple form: house parties.

Yes, there are more flamboyant, larger-scale events, and we’ve certainly done some of those, with more on the way. And big events are certainly valuable: they are (if you will) bright bonfires that attract the attention of the community and shout out the Obama message in a big single burning.

But each one of us is in the position of deciding right now to light a smaller blaze of our own, in our own home. A simple affair where we invite a few friends, co-workers, neighbors. People who we know are excited about Obama, and others who are perhaps on the fence but interested.

Maybe you’ll raise a little money in fives and tens, maybe not. Maybe you’ll bring over a person or two to our camp, or just get them thinking. Maybe not! I’m sure, however, that you’ll draw tighter bonds with those in your own personal community, just by the sheer engagement of sharing your space and talking about meaningful and important things.

And whenever there’s such a gathering, a flame is lit. Never underestimate what such a thing can grow into, especially when a steady flow of these parties starts to take shape.

As I write this, there are four upcoming Obama events scheduled within 100 miles of Portland. Four fires burning in this large, vibrant and very progressive community. With the democratic primary ahead, can each of us work in our own small way to add to this effort? Every little event like this helps us achieve this group’s goals of raising money for the national campaign and building awareness of Obama and what he offers our nation.

Decide – right now – to become part of the bigger effort with your own personal action.

- Log onto www.My.BarackObama.com

- Click on "My Events" and choose "Create an Event"

- You can limit attendance to a comfortable number, create your own theme. Have fun with it!

- Literature about Barack Obama and Contribution Forms (for people to make donations) are available for download at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/resourceguidesfg/#hp and

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/resourceflyers/

It’s time to light some fires, people. Let’s dot the landscape with hope.

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